As promised, the New Year has brought changes with it, just not in the top two. That may not happen all year as Lincoln and Boys & Girls seem to be the PSAL’s elite. Cardozo, meanwhile, moved up to No. 3 and Wadlegh is up to six. Additionally, Midwood became the first Class A program to break into the top 10, replacing inconsistent Robeson.
It’s all here in the first PSAL boys rankings of 2011:
1. Lincoln (8-0) (Last week: 1)
The Railsplitters aren’t nationally ranked, but they should be after knocking off St. Benedict’s Prep (N.J.) last week in the Planet Athlete National Holiday Invitational in East Orange, N.J. They also topped Boys & Girls, No. 17 in USA Today’s Super 25, on Dec. 16 and only seem to be getting better.
Next: George Westinghouse (Jan. 4, 5 p.m.)
2. Boys & Girls (10-2) (2)
We can’t decide what is more impressive: Boys & Girls finishing second in the Beach Ball Classic in Myrtle Beach, S.C., and topping Imhotep Charter (Pa.) or doing it without point guard Antione Slaughter and sixth man Anthony Hemingway, who are temporarily out with academic issues. One thing is for sure: The Kangaroos are every bit as good as their preseason hype and deserve their national ranking.
Next: @ No. 9 Thomas Jefferson (Jan. 4, 5:30 p.m.)
3. Cardozo (7-0) (4)
They’ve done it quietly and without much fanfare, but the Judges are still undefeated after quality victories during the holidays over Bishop Loughlin and Collegiate of the Ivy League. This is yet another big week for Cardozo as it visits rival Bayside and takes on Wadleigh in the Steve Simms PSAL Mid-Winter Classic.
Next: Flushing (Jan. 4, 5:15 p.m.)
4. Thomas Jefferson (7-5) (3)
Lawrence (Bud) Pollard was at a loss for words – shocking for those familiar with the Thomas Jefferson coach – after the Orange Wave blew an eight-point lead in the final two minutes to Campbell (Ga.) in the STOP-DWI Holiday Classic. Pollard thought this year would be the one the Brooklyn school would finally get to Madison Square Garden for the PSAL Class AA final because of all the talented seniors who returned. Now, the coach, isn’t sure when the next win will come. He may still get to MSG, but only by buying a ticket.
Next: No. 3 Boys & Girls (Jan. 4, 5:30 p.m.)
5. Wings Academy (8-2) (8)
The Wings have yet to be pushed in divisional play, winning each Bronx contest by at least 19 points. That pattern may change Tuesday as 5-1 Gompers takes on Wings at Mott Hall. All eyes will be on the matchup at point guard where Wings senior Deonte Houston and Gompers sophomore Carlos Galan do battle.
Next: Gompers @ Mott Hall (Jan. 4, 5:30 p.m.)
6. Wadleigh (10-3) (7)
Mike Crump always feels his kids get the short end of the stick because they play in Manhattan, one of the weaker boroughs in the city, but Wadleigh got some respect on Sunday by beating defending CHSAA Class A Intersectional champion Archbishop Stepinac. The Tigers can get even more by topping Cardozo Saturday in the Steve Simms PSAL Mid-Winter Classic at St. Francis College.
Next: @ West 50th Street (Jan. 4, 5 p.m.)
7. Bayside (10-3) (6)
Cory Semper has surely warned his Commodores from overlooking Forest Hills with Cardozo paying a visit to Bayside on Thursday, but is that possible? Moments after their 66-63 road loss to the Judges Dec. 21, the Commodores were already talking about seeing the Queens juggernaut again. It won’t mean nearly as much, however, if Semper’s kids can’t take care of business on Tuesday.
Next: Forest Hills (Jan. 4, 5 p.m.)
8. Gompers (7-3) (8)
The Panthers are quietly in position to make a move in Bronx AA. Off to a 5-1 start led by dynamic sophomore guard Carlos Galan and versatile senior forward Ohndo Smith, Gompers can draw even with Wings Academy atop the division with a win Tuesday.
Next: @ No. 6 Wings Academy @ Mott Haven (Jan. 4, 5:30 p.m.)
9. Thurgood Marshall Academy (6-2) (9)
The Panthers have already surpassed last year’s win total in Manhattan AA, which is an accomplishment in itself. We’ll shortly know how good TMA Is, though, as it meets Bronx power Gompers and nemesis Wadleigh early on in the New Year.
Next: @ Manhattan Center (Jan. 4, 5 p.m.)
10. Midwood (13-2) (NR)
We don’t like including Class A programs until later in the year because if they belong among the city’s best, they should be in Class AA. But Midwood gave us no choice by topping Catholic ‘AA’ foe Archbishop Molloy and winning the Aviator Hoops Holiday Tournament. The Hornets, it should be noted, have a Division I prospect in guard Bryan Smith, who has drawn interest from Siena, Fordham, Hofstra, and St. Peter’s.
Next: @ Sheepshead Bay (Jan. 5, 4:30 p.m.)
New: Midwood (13-2)
Dropped out: Robeson (7-6)
On the bubble: Bedford Academy (10-2), Curtis (10-4), Eagle Academy (6-4), FDR (10-5), Forest Hills (5-6), McKee/Staten Island Tech (6-7), Robeson (7-6) and South Shore (6-7)
